Snow blowers often move ahead without difficulty, but depending on the size of the equipment, turning through thick, heavy snow might be difficult. For those with smaller body shapes who may not have the height or weight to operate large machines, snow blowers with power steering might be useful. With power steering, you may press the trigger on the side you wish to turn toward, and the snow blower will turn in that direction. Therefore, unless you have sufficient physical stamina and yard space for doing wide steering turns, a snow blower with power steering is worthwhile investing in.
Is freewheel steering the same as power steering?
You may have come across terms like freewheel steering, auto-turn steering, dual-trigger steering, auto-traction control, and steering assistance. Generally speaking, they are all talking about the same thing: the type of power steering that is used for self-propelled snow blowers.
These systems appear to function in broadly the same manner. For instance, the Ariens auto-turn snow blowers include differentials that can detect when you start to turn. When the snow blower moves ahead, the driving differential axle shafts rotate in the same direction. The differential axle shafts are able to rotate freely in the direction you’re turning when you begin a turn. In order to turn the snow blower fast and effortlessly, power steering relies on the engine’s capacity to provide the wheels with power.
For the most part, the user can turn and operate the snow blower more simply with a power steering system.
Gas-Powered Snow Blowers With Power Steering
Only two-stage and three-stage snow blowers offer power steering because single-stage snow blowers lack self-propelled wheels. I’ll now provide you with a few illustrations of well-known gas-powered snow blowers with power steering.
Let’s start with the Ariens Deluxe Series snow blowers, which are reasonably priced and simple to use thanks to its auto-turn steering technology. For increased precision, the auto-turn steering offers a simple, zero-degree turning radius. These versions come in 24-inch, 28-inch, or 30-inch clearance width options. For instance, the Ariens Deluxe 30 includes one-handed control, auto-turn steering, and interlocking grips. Additionally, it includes heated hand grips and a remote chute deflector on the dashboard.
The Briggs & Stratton 1530MDS two-stage snow blower might then be your next point of interest. Despite being referred to as dual-trigger steering by Briggs & Stratton, this model features power steering. Therefore, when you get to the end of a driveway or sidewalk, the dual-trigger steering unlocks the left or right wheel to assist you in making tight turns. It also includes a free hand control capability, which enables the user to operate the machine with just one hand while allowing the other hand to turn the chute or change the speed. This feature allows for one-handed operation. In addition, the 1530MDS model includes heated hand grips that have a switch that you may use to turn on or off, allowing you to keep your hands warm while throwing frosty snow.
A few Husqvarna snow blowers with power steering, such the following models, might also be considered:
- ST224P
- ST227P
- ST230P
- ST324
- ST327
- ST330
These Husqvarna two-stage gas snow blowers include easy trigger control power steering, which improves mobility in challenging snowy circumstances. Currently, the ST227P seems to be a popular choice in terms of Husqvarna snow blowers with power steering.
Verdict
I think that buying a snow blower with power steering is worth the money, for the reason that such a freewheel steering system makes it easier to turn a heavy two-stage gas-powered snow blower. With power steering, you can spin the snow blower on a dime by controlling each wheel independently. Fortunately, most self-propelled snow blowers, except for the cheapest models, appear to have some type of power steering.
Which is the best two-stage gas snow blower with power steering? You might consider buying any of the snow blowers I mentioned above, or similar models with different auger widths. I prefer the Ariens Deluxe Series two-stage snow blowers, such as the Ariens Deluxe 28 (check price on Amazon).
Photo by Jasper Garratt on Unsplash